“Okay, but I’d like to help,” Angelle said.
“Deal,” Carolena said.
Carnage had picked up his golf club and was busy preparing another gum ball to be shot through the woods. He stood over the gum ball, lining it up with his club, then pulled the club back and whacked the gum ball as hard as he could, sending it spiraling out of sight. “Foouuuuaaahhhhh!” he bellowed.
“What are you doing?” Boon demanded.
Carnage looked over his shoulder prepared to answer, but Daniel did it for him.
“Golf! You’re playing golf, right? And that explains you shouting fore, so people know to watch out because there’s something coming their way.”
Carnage grinned. “Trawl show ‘Arnge.”
“Enthrall showed him how to play. And he doesn’t really care if he hits anybody since he’s switched to gum balls now. He just likes to shout fore as loud as he can,” Carolena said. “But he has a lot of fun, and it’s not hurting anybody, so I’m happy he has a new hobby,” Carolena said.
“‘P’ay?” Carnage asked Daniel.
“It’s been a while, but I could try,” Daniel said.
“Just make sure you hit it off the little round of wood he’s got there. He was digging a hole in my deck he was hitting the gum ball so hard, so I made him get something to balance the gum ball on when he hit it,” Carolena said.
“Gum ball?” Avaleigh asked.
“From the Sweetgum trees that grow around here. At first he was hitting real golf balls, but Terrus said he was tired of collecting them so the animals couldn’t eat them. So, he brought Carnage a whole bag of gum balls from the Sweetgum trees to use instead. Now when he runs out, he just goes and collects more. It’s a never ending supply,” Carolena explained.
Daniel walked over to where Carnage stood placing another gum ball on the piece of wood so Daniel could try to hit it.
Carnage handed the golf club to Daniel and stood back to watch him try. Carnage’s arms were crossed over his chest as he waited to see what Daniel could do.
Daniel lined up the club, took a few small practice swings, then prepared to fully swing.
“Nooo!” Carnage insisted.
Daniel looked over his shoulder at Carnage, an unspoken question on his face.
“Fouah” Carnage said.
“Ahhh, of course,” Daniel said, getting back into position and preparing to swing at the ball again. He paused, sucked in a breath, “Fore!” he shouted, then swung the club, hitting the ball and sending it in a perfect arc across the tops of the trees and out of sight effortlessly.
Carnage’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh! You’re good,” Carolena said.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m at least familiar with it. We go play sometimes at home. But honestly, it’s more of an excuse to drive golf carts in circles and drink beer all day. I enjoy it, though,” Daniel said.
Carnage held his hand out and Daniel gave him back the club. Carnage put another gum ball on the wooden support and lined it up for a shot. He pulled back and swung at the gum ball with all his strength. The gum ball flew into the trees, splinteringinto pieces as it went. “My ween!” Carnage announced, scooped up his wooden support, and stalked toward the house.
“He’s a bit of a sore loser,” Carolena whispered with a grin.
“Nooo!” Carnage yelled from inside the house.
Carolena laughed as she motioned toward the house. “Come in. Please. Let’s share a meal and get to know one another. I’m so happy you’re all here.”
Chapter 14
Carnage leaned his golf club in a corner of the room by the door, then went to the kitchen to wash his hands.
“I really like your home,” Avaleigh said. “It’s like living up in the trees.”
